DIY digital piano speakers

[454Casull]

Could you describe an ideal pair of speakers for a digital piano in a home environment? Cost would be limited to $400 or less.

[AllenB]

Due to the wide frequency range of piano and the dynamic range required, I'd think a normal set of hi-fi speakers would do the job but considering that a digital keyboard (and most music for that matter) doesn't have 88 keys, I'd think a pair of fullrange drivers in small boxes would do well, and would remain relatively portable and within budget.

[dewardh]

Originally Posted by 454Casull

Could you describe an ideal pair of speakers for a digital piano in a home environment?

Omnis would probably serve best . . .whatever you use place them for primarily reflected sound . . .

[454Casull]

It will have 88 keys.

I was thinking omni would reproduce the sound of a piano the best, but SPL tends to be limited with omnis, no?

[pos]

If your piano does stereo panning according to the position on the keyboard then you can go with two speakers having different characteristics: more bass capabilities on the left, and more highs on the right!

[454Casull]

Originally Posted by pos

If your piano does stereo panning according to the position on the keyboard then you can go with two speakers having different characteristics: more bass capabilities on the left, and more highs on the right!

Correct; the left channel would need to be full-bandwidth but the right channel need only do ~200Hz and up.

Still, I am wondering if omni is worth it.

[454Casull]

If anybody is curious I am interested in picking up a used Korg SP250.

[pos]

I have a Korg LP350, which is basically the same with integrated stand and bigger speakers.
The speakers are not that great, and hiss a lot. Plugging the device to my main speakers (JBL 4412) was not an improvement tho: it looks like the sound of the integrated speakers is tailored to this piano (the old production vs reproduction thing).
If I was to develop a specific speaker system for it I would also integrate a new reverb device (such as a small nanoverb) and bypass the integrated one.
Also note that the sound of this piano is typical of the Korg production since the 90's: they still use the same compression algorithm that brings some harshness to the highs.
The pedal also reacts strangely in some cases (sharp discontinuities in its effetc).

All in all if I had to do it again I think I would probably look into a Roland FP7 as I like the keyboard better (lighter, but it is a matter of taste, and I did not compared the sound and other important parameters), but it is still a great piano for the price.

[Irakli]

I am using M-audio BX-5a powered mini monitors. It is a very good value for the $300/pair. I had an idea to DIY speakers, but parts cost is more then that.

[454Casull]

Originally Posted by pos

If I was to develop a specific speaker system for it I would also integrate a new reverb device (such as a small nanoverb) and bypass the integrated one.
Also note that the sound of this piano is typical of the Korg production since the 90's: they still use the same compression algorithm that brings some harshness to the highs.

How is the reverb bypassed? Is this done by default by using the line-out, or is it a user setting?